Australia - WA - Cape to Cape Rock Parrots!

The mornings begin at the Leewin-Naturaliste National Park Lighthouse which is about a ten minute drive from Meelup B & B in Dunsborough which is highly recommended. The reserve at Cape Naturaliste is best visited early morning before the wind picks up! At this time of year the Sealions can been viewed frequenting rocky outcrops from two watchpoints. Whale season is September to early December. The heathland is vast and holds an array of mammals including Kangeroo. There are also snakes one slithered by as I was sat on a bench “On the other side of the moon!” yesterday morning. But if you don’t trouble them they are on their way as quickly as they appear.

First thing the area is alive with passerines, Silvereye, Fairywrens, scrubwrens, honeyeaters and wattlebirds. I even bumped into a Brown Quail twice along the path this morning. 

A pair of Elegant Parrot graced the car park wires just after first light. Note the Yellow and blue band above the eyes and brighter yellow in this species.

The Rock Parrot quest was gaining momentum as well as a bit of frustration on my part. Today I decided to complete the Cape to Cape route  which is a famous hiking trail (but in a car) and seek out these elusive parrots at Cape Leewin. The route takes around five days to complete involving camping along the route. My journey took an hour and thirty minutes via state route 10!

I arrived at around mid-day and checked out the old water wheel which has a small pool adjacent to it. The entry to the grounds to the lighthouse costs $6AUS allowing access to a tour of the lighthouse. I spoke to the staff at the entrance and the news on the Parrot was they had not been seen for over a week. Uh oh here we go again! 

I had seen photos of the Parrot on ebird so knew they had been on site. I had a walk round and then returned to the water wheel parking the car away from the small pool. The parrots would have to come to drink at some stage. This was also a good opportunity to have lunch!

Sure enough I blinked an eye and a couple of Rock Parrot appeared and were quenching their thirst at the edge of the pool. My apple bounced off the car seat and I made a hasty but controlled exit from the car. I was firing off shots when a tourists car parked up and the guy shouted across the car park “Another guy who likes birds” needless to say the parrots were off and headed off under some trees with the guy and his wife  now in hot pursuit!!

To cut a story short I caught up with the people (who were very pleasant) and the Parrots. I returned to the visitor centre and informed the staff should anyone else ask about the parrots where-a-bouts! I was bouncing around and the they must have thought I was nuts but complimented me on my persistence! 

Note the darker green colour and there is a feint blue band across the eyes. Overall this species is duller that the Elegant and lacks the yellow band under the eye.

I take the drive back to Perth tomorrow ending the short WA endemic tour! It has been challenging but worth the field hours put in. I have had a splendid time!! Woo Hoo!

Australia - WA - Albany to Dunsborough - Scrutinizing White Tails!

The journey from Albany to Dunsborough was not without incident as a young Kangaroo obviously got spooked by the only car on the road and decided to bong across the road in front of me. I am not sure how I didn’t hit the marsupial but I remembered my training on the skid pan and how to stop a vehicle in half the distance required! Whew that would have caused considerable damage if the worst had happened! The Kangaroo would have been fine!!

I also happened on a group of Emu which were grazing in a large field. Most land is fenced in Australia to prevent the above happening too often but I have seen a few roadside casualties and plenty of rubber on the roads!

In open and wooded areas I lay off the gas pedal to have a listen for calling birds in particular Cockatoos who can generally be heard from a mile away. I spied a pair of white tails calling from a tree set back from the road. The call sounded different to the Carnaby’s I had heard before so I parked up and set about the task of photographing both birds with particular focus on the bills.

Carnaby’s and Baudin’s Cockatoos are very similar one of the structural differences is in the shape of the bill. Carnaby’s has a smaller thicker bill where the upper mandible meets the lower without overlapping. The Baudin’s upper mandible is longer and pointed overlapping the lower. 

The photos were not the best with distance and heat haze playing a bit part in the final result. The above picture is of the male which has a red eye and was smaller than the female. 

(Carnaby's Dryandra Woodland)

Having looked closely at the photos and pictures I have taken of Carnaby's I believe the birds were Baudin’s based on the bill structure. The call there are aspects of both species in the sequence and I could not decide either way.

Having spoken to local birders Baudin’s are more prevalent in that area. However you cannot rule out the possibility of both being present hence the scrutiny of photographs.

These are tricky to separate feeding preferences used to define both species distribution and once both were considered a single species until recent times!

Australia - WA - Lake Seppings - Swings and Roundabouts!

I took the short journey to Lake Seppings this morning to catch up on some more regular species. The lake is situated adjacent to the Albany Golf Course and has parking on site. The path and boardwalks pass through reed-beds and trees. There was a good mix of passerines and waterfowl with Pelican and Ibis.

There were good numbers of Blue Billed Duck in the margins and a small pool. This species I missed at Bibra Lake earlier in the month. Musk Duck, Grey Teal and the odd Shoveler made up the duck numbers.

Red Eyed Firetail were numerous and easily located along the path. They did not seem too phased by human presence unlike previous encounters with this species.

I caught up with a group of Red Winged Fairywren near the car park. A species I saw during the inclement weather at Porongurup National Park. Note the dark bill and the red patch behind the billon the female. 

I saw an immature male in the group with a dab of the turquoise in the head as the bird moults out of juvenile plumage.

Reed Warbler was also busy feeding young in the reeds. The parents venturing into open areas in the search of food.

Common Bronzewing were surprisingly tame along the path taking a short flight up into a tree to drop back to the path as soon as I left.

The Noisy Scrub-bird has not lived up to its name for my SW Australian visit. I am out of season for this species and with the holiday season in full swing consider myself fortunate that I have seen the Whipbird and Bristlebird. Tomorrow I move to the Cape Leewin area where I still have a chance of picking up Baudin’s Cockatoo another SW endemic that has eluded me.

Australia - WA - Bettys Beach - Whipbird Stake Out!

Bettys Beach was the venue for the latest installment of the search for the three amigos. The focus on todays mission was the Western Whipbird which according to the books is reliable at Boulder Hill 4x4 track.

The skies were cloudy and a fresh breeze brushed the tops of the heath therefore conditions were favourable. I took an initial walk of the area and identified an area where one bird had called a couple of times. I then prepared to dig in and sit it out supplies at the ready for the day ahead. The bird announced its presence further up the hill within the taller scrub with some small shrubs/trees. The good news was it was getting closer and if I stayed concealed there was a reasonable chance of a view of the bird.

Time moved on (5-6hrs) and so did the scenario with the bird moving down the slope to my left hand side. It popped up briefly a few times before darting across the track behind me. One more head view showing the white moustacial stripe and black bib was had before the bird moved lower down the slope calling once more before falling silent! No where near as obliging as yesterdays Bristlebird but they are considered quite tame at Little Beach!

I also added a couple of more species to my tally. The first a Southern Scrub Wren who initially played a bit of hide and seek with me but when a couple of other birds turned up it showed well!

I recorded my first Cuckoo of the trip with a Fan Tailed flying east along the thin line of trees. A Whistling Kite was observed during the stake out completing the species of note.

I recorded my first Cuckoo of the trip with a Fan Tailed flying east along the sparse line of trees. A Whistling kite and numerous New Holland Honeyeaters, Silvereye and Scrubwren were also noted.

The only concern is I have not heard a Noisy Scrub-bird having visited Cheynes, and Two Peoples Bay..!

Australia - WA - Two Peoples Bay - Bristlebird Bonus At Little Beach!

The last couple of days have seemed like an eternity with heavy winds and rain blighting the landscape. Albany is known for unseasonal bouts of bad weather but if you ask anyone locally this is not the case. The surf has definitely been up!

Yesterday was almost a washout with trips to the Lighthouse at The Gap where I was battered by howling winds with nothing to show for my endevours. I moved inland to Porongurup National Park where I added the Red Winged Fairywren and a Crested Pigeon on the roadside en route. The birds on the uphill path at Tree In The Rock (Yes there is a tree growing out of granite!) were very active which was great for viewing but not for camera use.

The skies were clear this morning at stupid o clock Little Beach at Two Peoples Bay was the venue in search of the three amigos which are all very difficult to see! The Western Bristlebird was active with up to four individuals in the area of the car park but would they show themselves. Two birds did with one popping up metres from my position. This was some reward for considerable patience staking out singing birds.

The Noisy Scrubbird and the Western Whipbird were not seen or heard in the area from dawn. I have another site for the latter which I may try tomorrow. Two Peoples Bay is very pleasant so I took a walk along the beach keeping one eye on the dunes for Rock Parrot!

Pacific and Silver Gull, Sooty Oystercatcher and a Common Sandpiper were noted along with two Pelican that flew in chasing a boat that had been pulled ashore. Was the cargo something fishy!

I saw a small flock of Red Eared Firetail land in the scrub near the visitor centre. The red rump was obvious in flight and my first adult bird was recorded.

I spent the afternoon at the small Dam at Porongurup NP which has had reports of Baudin’s Cockatoos. I figured the dam would be a good spot to see any birds that are on the move. A Nankeen Kestrel was a nice bonus over the trees. 

The Grey Fantails at the Tree In The Rock are very entertaining. This bird was observed doing a sun dance yesterday. The birds efforts clearly paid off!

Australia - WA - Cheynes Beach - Wind in the "Willows"!

There was more rain this morning as I made my way to Cheynes Beach where most of the WA endemics can be found. The sea was choppy and there was an onshore wind therefore I set up my stall on the rocks to observe the sea.

It was not long before a shearwater came into view hugging and disappearing behind the waves. The bird came to rest on the water just to the right of my position giving me time to look at the bird more closely. The heavy build all brown body with a black tip to the pinkish bill had me conclude the bird was a Flesh Footed Shearwater.

Australian Gannet were more regular and easier to identify slowly wheeling high above the waves without showing any sense of urgency.

There was plenty of Crested Tern passing close by with calling Sooty Oystercatcher which always passed behind me. I caught up with a pair on the rocks later on in the morning.

The Pacific Gull is the beast of all gulls. I would not want to mess with that bill! There were a couple on the beach with adult and immature seen in flight.

In the process of re-locating the car to the caravan park I saw a male Brush Bronzewing perched on the wires. I then went in search of the three amigos (Noisy Scrubwren, Western Bristlebird and Western Whipbird) but I did not hold out much hope as the sun had pushed the cloud aside to brighten up the area. 

I did not add any new endemics to my list but saw Fairywren's (except Red Winged) and a female Western Spinebill. A Red Eared Firetail was seen near the entrance to the caravan park.

I moved up Cheyne Road to Waychinicup National Park to have lunch and a chill out before I returned to the beach for an evening endemic search. During my break I saw a Nankeen Kestrel and a pair of Whistling Kite that were utilizing one of the rock faced hills in the distance.

By mid afternoon the wind had kicked up bending bushes and small trees. The road was covered in debris as a result so I cut my day short and made my way back to Albany and a visit to The Gap where sea watching during migration is a must.

The forecast for tomorrow is more strong winds and showers. Perhaps a sea watch is more likely. Friday is the next moderate day in terms of wind strength and hopefully the passerines might be more obliging.

Australia - WA - Wagin Water Treatment Works - Wading in the Rain!

I tasted my first night of Australian rain which is just like anywhere else but its warmer and the drying off process is quicker. En route to Albany I visited Wagin Water treatment works which is sandwiched between the railway line and extended area of the light airfield. The tanks were loaded with ducks Grey Teal being the most numerous. The only snag was to approach the tanks without putting the masses skywards. The wind and the rain did not help viewing therefore I can only claim partial success on this one!

Australian Shelduck , Shoveler, Pacific Black and Pink Eared Duck were scattered around the far tanks. I could not find any Chestnut Teal, the female resembles the Grey Teal but after a good search through the ducks concluded there were none within view.

Both the right tanks had a rocky shoreline which extended to the top of the tank. I spied a Common Sandpiper feeding along the far edge which gave me the inclination to search the edges more thoroughly. A Pectoral Sandpiper was next in view.

A couple of Wood Sandpipers followed in close proximity.

The final shorebird of the morning was a Black Fronted Dotterel. None of the above were life birds but they were a welcome sight justifying the battering by the rain! No rails or Crakes were seen during the visit.

Australia - WA - Dryandra Woodland - A Howl from a Hole!

I have spent the last four days at Lyons Dryandra Woodland Village. This is situated in the heart of the woodland and has several trails taking you through the various habitat types. This area is the largest vegetation in the wheatbelt and supports a host of birds and mammals. There is no WiFi on site which allows any explorer to completely immerse themselves in their surroundings and forget about the outside word for a while.

I made several visits to the Old Dam which is a small pond near the entrance to the village and walked the trails in this area. The small dam was alive with parrots mostly Ringnecks with the odd female Red Capped and Western Rosella thrown in. 

The first evening was productive there with some Yellow Plumed Honeyeaters going crazy at a hole in the branch of a tree. This could mean the possibility of an owl or a snake in or near the hole. I stuck around first getting some pictures of the Honeyeater and amongst the commotion a Southern Boobook Owl emerged from the hole and flew up into an adjacent tree. 

A Rufous Treecreeper joined the protest from a fallen tree trunk. I think I was the only one that was pleased to see the Southern Boobook who quite frankly took no notice of the crazed Honeyeaters. I had to wait until the sun dropped behind the trees to get shots and during this time a group of dark cockatoos with cheek patches flew low squawking over the trees. 

As dusk fell I returned to the accommodation area and began searching for the Bush Stone-Curlews. This was a family party that had already lost two of the three chicks. I bumped into John who said the group was at the front of his house. I crept round to the front of the house and saw the family emerge from behind a bush.

There is a large open field in front of the main accommodation which hosted grazing Kangaroos and Wallabies. The surrounding woodland also holds good numbers. These mammals fascinate me as they “boing” around the woodland stopping to look at the human intruder. I think this individual was a defensive end with eyes firmly on the quarterback “42-25-34 hut hut!!”

At the end of my first morning walk I disturbed a Numbat that was digging away on the path some thirty meters ahead of me. The small ant eater froze looked at the elephant on the path and then scarpered. Wow that was a fast exit considering its small legs!

Dusky Swallow were also regular in the woodland in areas of decaying eucalyptus trees.

The Congelin Dam was slightly larger than the Old Dam but both are an important source of water for the local wildlife. The dam held Western Wattlebird and parrots that all jostled for position at the water’s edge during a morning thirst quenching session.

Carnaby’s Cockatoo finally gave themselves up to the paparazzi in the Village and at this dam. The arrival was always extremely noisy but the group soon settled down high in the trees bordering the dam.

A pair of Collared Sarrowhawk was present at this dam along with many Honeyeaters and other passerines. 

Western Spinebill were seen at both dams and this male seemed curious at my presence. Perhaps it was ticking me off its list!

The WA Endemics tally is looking healthy with all six Dryandra species added to my tally! My next stop will be in Albany where the going could get tricky with Noisy Scrub Bird on the agenda!

Not sure where the line (below) has come from!!

Australia - Perth - Bibra Lake - Back On The Rails!

I joined Bildlife Australlia for a tour at Bibra Lake with Sandra and her husband as guides. The group of around a dozen made their way round the lake stopping at both the hides to view the reed-beds for rails and crakes and the open water for wildfowl.

A successful morning with some birding identification tips and a few more species added to my life list. A Spotless Crake was the star of the morning but it took some patience to get decent pictures of this very shy and secretive bird.

A Buff Banded Rail was not as shy but was further away in the sunlight therefore the same quality photo was not achieved. Both birds were seen from the first hide which is an anchored pontoon which overlooks reed-beds.

During the walk back a Hobby passed overhead but I did not get enough on it to distinguish it from a European Hobby that has been a feature around the lake. Back at the car-park a couple of Brown Goshawk were making a racket above our heads. The size and overall structure of the birds determining it from the very similar Collared Sparrowhawk .

I had seen Pink Eared Duck at a distance on the lake so I took another walk hoping for a close view of the fantastic species of duck.

Whilst looking for the Blue Billed Duck a Swamp Harrier came into view patrolling the reeds. Sadly I did not find the duck but I will have a few days in Perth at the beginning of February so all is not lost.

Tomorrow I am off to Dryandra for the weekend. I am not certain there will be good enough wifi to post but I will certainly catch up when I reach Albany! Thank you everyone for a very enjoyable morning!

Australia - Perth - Victoria Dam - On The Trail For WA Endemics!

I will soon be on a small road trip down to Albany and across to Cape Leewin and back to Perth for a few days before flying to Adelaide for the next phase of my adventure. I therefore picked up a hire car yesterday and took an afternoon trip to Victoria Dam. The area is owned by the water authority and supplies Perth with its drinking water. The accessible area is small but there is the potential to connect with eleven of WA endemics. The area is quiet and picturesque with a warden who opens the gates between 0800 and closes them at 1700hrs. The area below the new dam wall is particularly good for passerines but arrive before the sun rises as the area seems devoid of life afterwards.

My afternoon visit was during the heat of the day which did not leave much time for bird activity. A few Cockatoos passed overhead and a couple of parrots were seen after 1500hrs. The light was terrible for photography but a Splendid Fairy Wren did make an appearance for the lone paparazzi. A mental note was made to return early the next morning. 

The gate was opened just as I arrived at 0600hrs which was a good start. This saved abandoning the car on the road and a long walk down to the dam. There was more a lot more activity with a group of Western Rosella flying in to the trees surrounding the car park. 

I made my way down to the top of the dam hoping to bury a run of terrible shots of the Cockatoos that traverse the tree lined slopes. Carnabys (Short Billed) and Baudins (Long Billed) have both been recorded in the area but these white tails were not to make an appearance during my visit. However I obtained conclusive pictures of the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo which has a loud screechy call reminiscent of a macaw!

I walked down to the lower level past a small pond which incidentally had a Pacific Black Duck on it. Making my way to a small grassy area lined with trees and shrubs just below the base of the dam. The area was alive with birds. I took up a position in the shade and waited for the birds to appear. I met John Fawshaw who is a regular at the dam and also watches in Singapore and is a member of Singapore Birders FB page. 

White Breasted was the first of two species of Robin who bathed in the dust in small divots in the grass.

Scarlet Robin followed on with several males frequenting the area.

The Fairy Wrens were represented by Blue Breasted that was far more difficult to photograph particularly as the black breast distinguishes it from the Variable Fairywren.  The Splendid male was more obliging and has become a personal favourite of mine coming to within a couple of feet of me at one point. As with the majority of species the females are not as colourful but have a certain appeal to them.

One of the briefest of encounters of the morning saw a juvenile type Red Eared Firetail hop out of the shrubs into the open then quickly retreating into cover not to be seen again!

I had a brief encounter with a Honeyeater which is confirmed as a Western White Naped Honeyeater or Gilbert's Honeyeater. Mystery Solved...Thank you Sandra from Birdlife Australia

The next species I believe is a juvenile or female Western Whistler. The male is more obvious bright yellow with a white throat and black head. I have other pictures of this bird at different angles.

There were many young birds in this area during my vigil which ended as soon as the area fell quiet and the sun was cooking the grass!